Expert: John Henry Architect - 5/13/2009

Question
Hello.  My name is Rashad.  I’m in the process of registering for school at a 2 year college.  I want to enroll in a program that will help me reach my goal of becoming a real estate builder/developer.  The program that they offer is as follows:


COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Commercial Construction Management
Associate of Applied Science Degree
CCM3
Program Description
Construction continues to employ more people than any other industry. It is an ever-changing
environment with top salaries in the six-figure category. The mission of the commercial construction
management degree program is to prepare students with the skills to obtain satisfying employment and
to lead the construction industry with high standards. Program graduates will manage construction
teams in order to solve complex technical and managerial problems in the building process. Completion
of the program will provide graduates with the necessary skills to manage construction projects with
confidence and authority.
The associate of applied science degree program includes commercial construction management
courses and college-level general education courses. Coursework is accomplished through business
simulations that prepare students to immediately and effectively impact the work environment. Student
industry employment is encouraged to allow direct application of skills learned through course projects.
(Program Length: 8 Quarters Minimum)
Employment Opportunities
Project manager, contract administrator, superintendent, estimator, project engineer, safety engineer,
assistant cost engineer, quality control engineer, scheduling engineer, building inspector
CURRICULUM
COURSE TITLE NUMBER CREDITS
Essential General Education Core Courses 35
Area I - Humanities/Fine Arts
Composition and Rhetoric ENG 191 5
Literature and Composition OR ENG 193 5
Introduction to Humanities HUM 191 (5)
Fundamentals of Speech SPC 191 5
Area II - Social/Behavioral Sciences
Macroeconomics ECO 193 5
Introduction to Psychology PSY 191 5
Area III - Natural Sciences/Mathematics
College Algebra MAT 191 5
Physical Science I OR PSC 191 5
Introductory Physics PHY 190 (5)
190
COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Essential Technical Courses 75
Introduction to Microcomputers SCT 100 3
Introduction to Commercial Construction CCM 101 2
Construction Materials and Techniques CCM 102 4
Commercial Print Reading CCM 103 3
Construction Safety CCM 110 4
Workplace Law CCM 210 5
Construction Accounting and Financial Management CCM 230 5
Mechanical, Electrical and Conveying Systems CCM 130 4
Commercial Building Code CCM 140 3
Construction Scheduling CCM 160 4
Quantity Estimating CCM 180 5
Conceptual Cost Estimating CCM 181 5
Cost Estimating CCM 182 5
Contract Administration CCM 220 3
Construction Project Management CCM 270 5
Capstone Project CCM 290 5
Elective(s) XXX xxx 10
Total Hours 110
Elective(s)
Elective choices include any CCM courses, PHY 191, BUS 101, INT 100, MKT 110, ACT 100, INT 104,
MSD 101, MSD 103 and/or MKT 115.


My question is, will this help me become a builder/developer?


Answer
Yes, these are courses that would be valuable in becoming a builder more than a developer.  You should take real estate courses and business electives to help you prepare for the development side of the business you seek.
A developer rarely builds using his own skills, but a builder can also develop land.  Developers normally have independent contractors bid and construct projects.  The developer needs to understand cost/risk/profitability per a specific land deal.  Initial costs include soft costs for engineering and architectural design plus real estate commissions, zoning and planning permits, etc.  A real estate developer assumes financial risk but liability tends to fall on the shoulders of the contractor, engineers, and architect.  The courses you need for real estate development are business/zoning-planning related and should be included in your course syllabus.